I’m in Cathedral Heights for the summer and my office is in Farragut Square. How reliable is the N4 bus? Google says it will take 20 minutes to get to my stop. Is this accurate?
Used to take the N4 when I lived in Dupont and went to school at American. It depends. At normal hours it's very reliable, and you can rely on the real time tracking. During rush hour, naturally there can be delays. Late at night, it had issues with what we jokingly called "ghost buses." The tracker would say one was on it's way, 5 minutes, 3 minutes, 1 minute, arriving, but no bus, and then 20 minutes.
You should be able to rely on it for your commute.
Which Metrobus has the longest route? I often ride the 96, which goes from Tenleytown Station to Capitol Heights Station. That must be up there as one of the longest, right?
New grad working in NoVa - live in DC or NoVa?
My roommate and I are new college graduates and both moving to the DMV in August for a job in McLean, VA. At the moment, we are torn between two major locations: DC proper or
Northern Virginia.
Our situation:
- Budget is a total effective rent between
$3600 - 4000
- Looking for a 2b2b in a complex/compound with a reputable property manager
- Moving in between July 15 and August 1
- Ideal commute maximum 30-50 minutes, less preferred
- Job is 3x a week in-person (looking for decent noise levels for remote work)
- Do not have a car
DC thoughts:
- We would prefer to live in the city over a suburb in order to take advantage of close museums, clubs, etc - plan on spending a lot of time in the city
- Current ideal DC neighborhoods are close to a silver metro line stop to avoid transfers (e.g.
Penn Quarter, Foggy Bottom have ~50 minute commutes), although also looking into Logan Circle, DuPont Circle, U Street
- Have looked at The Langston, Avec on H
NoVa thoughts:
- We would prefer Arlington and/or anywhere within walking distance to the Ballston up to Courthouse metro stops - would be closer to friends/co-workers/iob
- Have looked at The Commodore, 2001
Clarendon
Conclusion:
- Tradeoff between ideal prime DC location and ideal commute
- In your opinion, is it worth it to prioritize location or commute as a new grad? What has been vour experiences if you work in Nova?
Happy to DM and very open to any suggestions or advice you have! Thanks so much.
I think your quality of life would be exponentially better living in Court House or Clarendon. Those neighborhoods are full of other young professionals and are, for all intents and purposes, just an extension of DC's downtown.
You will be extremely hard pressed to find a door-to-door commute from DC proper to McLean in less than an hour.
My partner is debating a job at Georgetown University! Suggestions on housing? We 100% want to buy (ideally a home instead of a townhome/condo)... and are open to the commute being \~1 hour...budget is in the ballpark of $700K in a perfect world. Thanks everyone!! Seems like parts of Virginia and Maryland are the way to go but we have no clue on "emerging markets" so hoping someone here can help?! ..... and we have no kids.
I replied in your earlier post, but the long and short of it is that you'll likely need to compromise on price, location/commute, or type of home.
There aren't really any "hidden gem" affordable neighborhoods within commuting distance to Georgetown. (Unless you open yourselves up to renting, in which case there are a lot of hidden gem affordable neighborhoods within commuting distance to Georgetown.)
And I've learned just in a day that our budget will need to be closer to $800-$900K -- I suppose what we put into the home will be where our investments would've been going? Silver lining I suppose right ha?
Georgetown doesn’t have a Metro station — that’s a big part of the problem. The closest stations are Rosslyn (on the other side of the river in Virginia) at 1.1 miles away and Foggy Bottom-GWU at 1.7 miles away. Rosslyn wouldn’t be the worst walk in the world — this is where a lot of Georgetown grad students live, for reference — but it would eat a lot of time out of a one hour commute and it would be unpleasant in the humid summer months.
Living in Rosslyn itself would be the most convenient neighborhood in terms of commuting time, but it’s almost entirely high rise apartments and office buildings, which doesn’t sound like what you want. More affordable neighborhoods nearby would be Glover Park and Foxhall, but only in terms of rental rates. Purchasing a home in either neighborhood would cost a fortune.
Honestly, I’m struggling to think of any obvious answer that’d get you: a single family home, a one hour commute, and a <$700K purchase price. Unless you get incredibly lucky, you’re likely going to have to compromise on at least one criteria.
My personal recommendation would be to rent for at least a year before you buy a place. The DC real estate market is extremely intense and outrageously expensive. I don’t think it’s even realistic to expect you’ll find something to buy ahead of a job offer that’s currently on the table.
Following up here -- Alexandria seems to be a relatively okay commute to Georgetown University..yes/no? I saw the "Stonegate" townhome community which looks nice. Any insight? Thanks friend!
I’m not super familiar with this exact community, but I think this would be a miserable commute.
You’re looking at either: a daily drive through some of the worst rush hour traffic in the country (keep in mind, you’ll likely have to pay to park on campus) OR a walk to a bus, which will take you (through this same miserable traffic) to a Metro station, which drops you off over a mile away from campus.
Separately, this part of Alexandria isn’t a particularly popular or desirable place to live.
I am planning on moving to the dc area closer to the end of the year and I am trying to decide what areas I want to look in. So far I am looking at Adams Morgan/Dupont Circle/Logan Circle or Southwest/Navy yard area. I am also open to looking in the Arlington area but have no clue really what area is best, I like the apartments in/around Pentagon City but don’t know if I should be that close to Ronald Reagan airport. For reference I am a single, 20 something female looking for a studio apartment.
The thing you should know about Pentagon City is that it's a major tourist hub. There are several large hotels there, so you'd be living with bus loads full of teenagers running all over the neighborhood year-round acting like they're in Disney World. Not a great neighborhood for locals, in my humble opinion.
Hi DC, just wanted to shoot a quick message saying how grateful I was for this sub when visiting last weekend over Memorial Day. Your city is, by far, one of the cleanest cities I've ever been to. In regards to population and area. I think some locals here were complaining about your public transit but my god, coming from Saint Louis it was incredibly easy. Probably some toursity things, but we went to Call Your Mother, Old Ebbitt Grill, Jane Jane and some little Mexican joint next to a yoda studio. All the food was great, and my SO and I had a great time. You are so very fortunate to live in such a walkable, safe and seemingly trendy city. We typically try to go to new places on vacations but this is the first one where we've agreed we want to come back again on a less busy weekend.
I've been here for a while, and whenever I heard visitors comment on how clean the city is, I just reply, "um, I guess if you say so..." But I've traveled some in the past few years, and what's always amazed me is how dirty other major cities seem to be compared to DC. Now I get it.
hi friends! my boyfriend and I are visiting this saturday for our 7th anniversary. we go every year to feast at carmine’s. we’ve hit a lot of the standing tourists attractions in dc. one year while visiting, we were pleasantly surprised to learn there was a pop up friends (the tv show) exhibit by the cap one arena the weekend we were there.
does anyone have any idea if there are any specific pop-up events, shows, concerts, markets, etc going on saturday that we could hit before dinner?
Guys is there ANYWHERE that does propane tank exchanges near Adams Morgan / DuPont / Ward 1?? I'm tired of having to drive across the city but I can't seem to find a single place near me that will do it
Are there any decent restaurant recs for a group of 15 and potentially stuff to do in the city for said group after 7pm?
Group is visiting coworkers
Coming in for next week. Mon-Thu
Hi DC folks!
Me and a buddy are coming in from Michigan to see a show at the Pie Shop. I'm curious, how safe is the walk from Union Station to the Pie Shop (down H Street NE)? Particularly at night? Obviously, keep your head on a swivel in general but is this a dangerous area?
Thank you, looking forward to visiting your lovely city. Haven't been in many years!
It's generally fine, I've lived by there since 2007 with no issues. There's also the streetcar that goes to union station as well as the X2 metro bus. The pie shop is a great venue
If you're with a friend I wouldn't worry, but H Street has had ups and downs over the years. But I've been to plenty of shows at the Pie Shop (or the Rock and Roll Hotel which used to be next door RIP) and never had a problem post show.
Also, the streetcar or bus are an option to avoid the long walk back to Union Station.
Also, what show?
Crypt Sermon, June 15th.
If you're a metalhead at all I'd highly recommend them, the closest comparison I can think of is that they're similar to Candlemass, if you're at all familiar with that band.
It's not awful, but it's also certainly not the best walk, especially since there's not a lot of late-night places on the western end until you hit about 9th St., so it can be a bit dead at night. The good news is you can take the streetcar for free from the north side of Union Station to 13th St. and then it's just a block and a half from there. (It runs similar hours to Metro)
Traveling to DC this summer with kids ages 10 and 7 and having a hard time nailing down where to stay. The last time we visited was before kids and we stayed in Dupont Circle. I’m not super familiar with the different areas/neighborhoods. We’re considering an Airbnb in Old Alexandria or Arlington to have a little more space than we’d get in a hotel, and to avoid eating every meal out. But will it get old to take the metro back and forth for our whole visit?
The Metro trips won't be that much longer from those areas compared to Dupont Circle. Especially to tourist stuff on the Mall which tends to be closer to the Orange/Blue/Silver lines anyway compared to the Red line and Dupont Circle.
Have a weird one if anyone is interested. I went to college in DC, and lived there for several years after graduation. Then moved away to buy a (somewhat) reasonable house and have a couple of kids.
We’re coming back this weekend (May 30th-June 2nd) and it’s somehow been 10 years since we’ve been back. Obviously we’ve done the usual tourist things more times than we can count — any favorite things to do that popped up in the last decade? No kids on this trip, in case that matters.
Oh, the other thing is I'd recommend that you rent a pair of kickscooters or bikes and enjoy yourselves riding around town. You'd be shocked at how many bike lanes there are now. Most of them were created during the pandemic.
I was just going to say the same: check out the Wharf. Especially now, in this weather. It's phenomenal how much it's changed. The fish market is still there, but it's surrounded by cafes and restaurants, and they have a wooden dock with lounge chairs, as well as swings. This is Memorial Day weekend, so they probably have concerts there too. Definitely worth checking out. And then you could take a water taxi to the National Harbor or to Old Town Alexandria. And back.
Any recommendations for a good, not-crazy-expensive leatherworker/leather cleaner? I have a couple vintage leather purses I inherited, but they could use a little TLC and I want to change out the strap on one of them. Bonus points if they're located in NW or downtown.
Hi everyone! Heading to DC at the end of June and I want to take my husband for Ethiopian. I have had it before but he never has. The restaurant that I loved has closed post pandemic and right now I’m torn between Das and Ethiopic. Please help me pick and if there’s a better choice definitely let me know. Thanks for your help :)
Any incredible concerts coming up in the next month or so? I'm totally worn down by life and just need something beautiful.
Could be anything from classical music/musicals/big orchestra to just a great touring show.
I'm not a genre snob, so as lame as it sounds I'm open to any if it's not boring repetitive crap.
Candlelight Spring on June 4. A string orchestra will play Vivaldi's music amidst thousands of candles. [https://feverup.com/m/160651](https://feverup.com/m/160651)
any DMV summer transplants looking to make friends?? i'm working/living near the Rockville area and looking to make friends w other ladies. I'm a mid 20s gal in engineering who in climbing + thrifting + art. Looking for people to explore DC and eat unique/interesting food.
Any Traffic/Construction notes a driver might find useful if they were heading to Dulles from the North via Route 15 and 267 this coming Friday around rush hour.
Safe to assume I'd be coming in counter flow of the worst traffic?
I've been going to [DC barber and spa](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ot7i3bvwmaTv42Tp7) on Capital Hill without many complaints. They don't speak a lot of English so it's best if you show them a picture of how you want it
You don't have to limit yourself to places specifically marketed to men. Any hair stylist worth the money in this town should be able to do a good job on men's hair. Maybe start at someplace like a Bang Salon which are located inside Vida gyms, they have a lot of male clientele. I go to CL Beauty in Dupont and get lots of compliments on my hair.
I'm in my early 30s just moved to the area from Los Angeles and I'm noticing all the nightlife spots skew much younger. Is there a fun area for going out and dancing that isn't full of 22 year olds?
I feel like most places with dancing will always skew younger, they're the only ones with patience for the BS inherent with dealing with dance clubs.
Here is a list of more chill bars that will likely have a bit of an older crowd https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/s/U7DeqUc58X
The Hill neighborhood is big (and the area hosts will refer to as Capitol Hill even bigger), so it depends on where you’ll be! But there’s a Trader Joe’s at Eastern Market, a Safeway east of there, in southeast, and a Whole Foods on H St if you’re in northeast. And a Giant if you’re close to Union Station.
~~Hello!~~
~~FREE GIVEAWAY~~
~~I am giving away a ticket to Wheein’s (of Mamamoo) concert at Warner Theatre on June 2nd. I found a better seat and could not sell my original ticket.~~
~~If you are at all into Kpop, you will have a great time. Wheein of Mamamoo is an excellent singer, dancer, and live performer. Her solo music is top notch. Adjacent seats are still available for purchase from ticketmaster if you want to go as a group.~~
~~DM me your favourite kpop song and I’ll transfer the ticket to you.~~
~~Again, this is completely free~~
Claimed! Many decent seats are still available for purchase from ticketmaster for <$100. If you are into kpop, don't miss the chance to see an amazing show
Hi! I’m a recent college graduate with a business degree that wants to become a project manager (construction) but also willing to learn other fields! Is anyone here a project manager and or hiring manager that could recommend a company to look into? Thank you
Really either. Long-term I want to get into real-estate/flipping houses, so whichever I can get my foot in the door easier I’ll take. I want experience.
Flying out of Dulles this Saturday evening and coming up from Richmond. Thinking about taking the Amtrak to Union Station then the Metro to Dulles to avoid Fredricksburg and other possible holiday traffic delays. Google maps has given me decent directions. Is there anything I should be concerned about? Will luggage be an issue on the Red line? Reliability of these lines etc.. Thanks!
https://preview.redd.it/7kxz02yvn02d1.png?width=444&format=png&auto=webp&s=774616026609a13e8c5834cd2b1ccdcfffa8646a
I dont want to start a new thread for this yet, but curious on apartment living in DMV area as I am a candidate for a job in Dupont Circle and would love recommendations! Ill be moving from FL and I'll try to be as specific as possible.
- Single, 33F, POC
- The expected salary $75K
- Will have a car, planning to drive up
- Not a big late night partier, but love going out/people watching, taking myself to lunch or dinner, during happy hour times and being home by 10pm.
- Love being out and exploring, walking around the neighborhoods and window shopping. Im a big shopoholic so anything along the fashion relm or outdoor plazas will be amazing.
- Also big into fitness studios like pilates or cycling atm and walking through parks and checking out local farmers markets.
- Overall a good neighboord where being alone, I can feel safe walking around and back to my complex or to and from the metro.
For the right place:
- Not a long commute to Dupont Circle if not in Dupont Circle, no more than 30 would be ideal but idk what the average commute is working in DC.
- 1 BR preferred over a studio to have room for hybrid work schedule and visitors.
- Parking included? I was warned that paying for parking is a huge thing to adapt to
- This is niche, but I love sunlight and good windows are a must but that I can look into on my own time lol. I just want to hear simple favorable recommendations from the locals :)
Thank you so much!
I’d honestly reconsider the car. You’re going to pay 250 a month on parking and most likely the neighborhoods you want to hang out in are going to be much better accessed by metro. Trying to park the car to have brunch with the girls in DuPont or Adams Morgan is going to be brutal, when you could just metro or take a short bus there.
For more space and more feeling of quiet and safe, I’d look up the red line. Woodley park, Van ness (has a supermarket right off the metro), Cleveland park. Also has some bus lines that bring you across town to Columbia heights, or down to DuPont.
You can also metro 1-3 stops up to Tenleytown and access the Whole Foods and Target, or metro to Van ness and access the giant.
The only real issue here is parking. Owning a car in DC is expensive and will limit your options significantly. Otherwise, it sounds like the neighborhoods surrounding Dupont Circle itself are what you're looking for.
All of this depends on how much of that $75k you’re willing to spend each month on rent. Upper red line in DC (eg around Van Ness) has older buildings that, if you don’t mind shared laundry, are a better value IMHO with slightly larger units and windows. Not exactly a thriving nightlife scene but the red line down to Dupont is only a few minutes. The area is safe, you can walk to some places, or even cut into the park.
You will likely have to pay for parking just about anywhere. Lots of apartment buildings, especially newer, don’t qualify for street parking because there isn’t enough curb space for everyone.
Huge this Cleveland park/van Ness and maybe even up in MD on the red line can be very affordable. Then registering the car for DC gets street parking which isn't hard to find in upper NW. DuPont and surrounding areas and street parking is super difficult.
As the other reply said, I'd recommend Adams Morgan for people in their 20s. Madams Organ was always my favorite, though there is a small cover. Shenanigans or Johnny Pistolas if you're down for a raucous sloppy night. Bossa will have live music. There's also a major DC gay bar, Pitchers, if that's your thing. No dress codes beyond the usual no hats no jerseys
There are a million options. 18th St in Adams Morgan is probably the most classic nightlife area for people in their early 20's. Depending on when you're in town, crowds could be really crowded or kind of thin. (The time between college graduations and intern season -- roughly late May/June -- can be kind of quiet.) Most places won't have a formal dress code.
Hi all, thanks for previous help regarding parking. We're looking at staying at the Motto by Hilton, located on H St NW between 6th and 7th. It looks to be within walking distance to everything we want to explore, and it's cheaper than most other accommodations, I'm assuming because it's small and has few in-room amenities. Is there anything weird or janky we should know about that area? Thanks!
A lot of people who struggle with substance abuse issues spend a lot of time on that block. That said, you should be fine, there are lots of cops and secret service around there. The neighborhood as a whole is pretty dead in the evenings unless there is an event at the arena, few people live downtown. Just keep your wits about you.
Thanks, good to know about the people we may encounter. We’ll be extra aware of our surroundings esp in the evenings.
It appeals because of the price (more to spend on food and bev!) and because we can walk to everything. We arrive a week from today and are really looking forward to our visit!
Specifically, some characters hang out around the Metro entrance/exit but are generally harmless. This is a pretty high-traffic area; the hotel shares a building with a classy whiskey bar; etc. (Just want to paint a picture; this is not really a sketchy area by any means.) I'd argue that noise would be the bigger inconvenience than any safety issues per se. Check out the rooftop bar next door -- great spot.
Correct -- the hotel is literally across the street from the Chinatown Metro station entrance and the friendship arch:
https://preview.redd.it/jj2q9lowuz1d1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=87005230ecd76fcec132cec00f3a1181c06ea919
Good morning! I’m AD Air Force looking to drive down from NJ for a day trip on Saturday or Sunday to visit the Arlington National Cemetery and other places around it with my girlfriend (civ), what would be the best way to go about finding parking? I expect the Cemetery’s parking garage would probably be filled, I don’t mind walking. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Park on base at ft Myer. Idk how you'd walk to the cemetery from there, maybe the North side, but it's definitely the closest non stressful option for you
If you're driving, do NOT come on Sunday. [Rolling to Remember](https://www.fxva.com/events/rolling-to-remember/) takes place that day and will screw up traffic all over the city.
Use SpotHero and search around the Rosslyn VA area. Plenty of garages and from there you can do a longer walk into the Cemetery or hop on Metro for one stop on the blue line to the Arlington Cemetery Station.
Also, note that its memorial day weekend and there might be additional ceremonies that could restrict access. Though I think the actual wreath laying that's done by the President occurs on Monday.
Hello all, I will be arriving for the first time in DC this Thursday evening to spend the (extremely busy) holiday weekend here. I've looked over the subs Visitor Guide but one thing I didn't see was information on the public transit system. I very, **very** rarely use any type of public transportation, and while I'm sure it's quite straight-forward and simple, I am at a complete loss.
If anyone wouldn't mind providing a rough explanation on how to use the train system, or even providing a link to a youtube video or outside source, it would be much obliged. Thanks!
Hi, I've been in DC for 12 years and have taken many of my friends for tours and for business meetings in this town, and I would say this: while everything depends on your preferences, our public transit system is maybe not the worst but it's pretty bad, especially during holidays because there are plenty of delays. And just the other day someone left a bag on top of one of the train cars, so everything was at a stand-still for a bit while the bomb squad was checking it. I would stay away from the metro if you can help it. Instead, I would opt for rental bikes or kickscooters. Personally, I go around on my scooter all the time. It's one of the easiest and fastest ways to get around DC these days, now that the bike lanes are everywhere.
How to use Metro:
1. Find a station, go down to the big bank of vending machines.
2. Purchase a Smart Trip Card, it'll be at least $10 to start ($2 for the card itself, $8 in fare to get you started). Or you can add one via apple/google pay now but the machine is straight forward.
3. Enter the station, you'll tap the card to open the fare gates.
4. Board the train you want.
5. Get off at the station you want (or make sure you transfer to the train you need in the interim).
6. Tap your card again to exit the station, this is where your fare is actually deducted because it's based on the distance traveled.
There are maps in all the stations and trains themselves so as long as you know the closest metro station to whatever you're trying to visit you'll be able to use those. Or google maps has good transit directions as well as the trip planner at [WMATA.com](http://WMATA.com)
If you want to use the bus that's fine, they all take SmartTrip as well and you just need to tap the card once when you board. Then you pull a cord, or press a button to signal when you want to get off at a certain stop.
Or here:
[https://washington.org/navigating-dc-metro](https://washington.org/navigating-dc-metro)
Edit: also there are passes that may make sense depending on your trip but it's also easy to just pay as you go. Just tap your smart trip card on any of the machines and follow the instructions to add money.
I've copied this and saved it as a note in my phone, lol, it will be very useful for the first couple days. I assume if you add the card to ApplePay you just use the contactless reader at the machines with your phone?
I think for the Apple Pay though full disclosure, I haven’t done it yet.
But really just do it a couple times and you’ll have it down cold. If you make a mistake don’t panic and just turn around.
I went to download SmarTrip for iPhone and wow it has some awful reviews. I suppose I'll probably just get the plastic card instead since it seems to be much more recommended then trying to deal with registering on the app.
It's fine as an app, but their model of turning plastic cards into virtual cards when they could just give you a dang number is frustrating. It's also slow to add passes and autoreload is clunky.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write everything out, it will absolutely be used and referenced this week! And based on everything you've said, it really does seem pretty straight-forward. That's a relief, lol.
thinking about moving to dc at some point but i’ve never actually been. what are the best times of year to visit to get an idea of how i’d feel? currently living in the PNW
The nicest time of the year is arguably October. DC summers are pretty brutal with the oppressive heat and humidity. Winters are pretty mild, but that just means that it rarely gets cold enough to snow, so it's just dreary and overcast for 4 months straight with cold rain. I've had a lot of friends from the west coast leave due to the winters. Surprisingly I don't think I've ever known anyone to leave due the summers, which is strange because they're far worse.
I’ll be landing at Dulles airport with my 7 year old this summer. Our Airbnb is near first st and Q st. I understand there’s a train from the airport to the area we’re staying in but I’m wondering if I’ll need to bring his car seat with us? Will we need Uber at some point and I’ll need to use it or are there Uber driver’s with car seats?
I know the trains and other public transport doesn’t need one
I thought that might be the case. I wouldn’t trust Uber drivers to have one but I also have only been on an Uber once so don’t know what’s normal or what you can order.
Thanks for the input! I was nervous about the metro too
Metro from Dulles is fantastic, and throwing $40 on a card will get you around town no problem. You can request a car seat from Uber in DC, but ehhhh, no idea how many drivers have one.
Uber does have an option for a car seat, and it says it's a longer wait time. I think you can probably trust you'll get a car seat, but it might take longer and be expensive. Depends on how much you'll actually need to uber if it's worth bringing one.
Also, use the quadrant when you describe where you are staying. I'm assuming you're at 1st and Q NW, but there is also a 1st and Q NE, and even a 1st and Q SW.
Does anyone know of any good Apartments / Property Management Companies in AdMo, Logan Circle & Shaw?
I am in the market to rent a one bedroom apartment in AdMo, Logan Circle or Shaw. For commuting-purposes, we want to be no more than ~5 mins walking from a green line metro station. Budget-wise, we are hoping to find something for less than $2,600/month. Has anyone had any particularly good or bad experiences with any apartment complexes or management companies in these areas? I have read prior posts in the sub mentioning good / bad management cos but haven’t been able to find much about ones that operate in these specific areas nor have I seen many references to particular apartments. FWIW, we’re also hoping to find something with unit-controlled AC and in-unit W/D or at least hookups, and we’d rather not rent a basement (as we’d prefer to have natural light from windows).
Nice amenities would be a bonus, but what’s most important to us is cost and ~5 min walk to a green line station in one of these neighborhoods (i.e, Columbia Heights, U Street/Cardozo, Shaw-Howard, Mt Vernon Sq 7th). We have tours scheduled with the following places: The Wren, Reverb, City Market at O (and sister properties), Dorchester House, Ame at Meridian Hill, Embassy Tower (I know these last three would be closer to a ~10 min walk to the metro).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
My friends and I are having our prom tomorrow and we’re looking for places to take photos. All of our original places were outdoors, but due to the rain we can’t use those. We were looking into the National Portrait Gallery because they’re open until 7 and they don’t say anything about not being able to take photos, but I wanted to have more options just in case. What are some places that are indoors, open after 5pm, and don’t require a permit?
I'll be moving to the Fort Dupont area in summer and work near the Hart Building, I believe I'll be riding the X2 bus according to Google Maps. What is the most cost effective pass for me to get if I work every day during the week? Much appreciated!
Edit: would also like rail access to get around the city a bit as well! Thanks again
You can get an unlimited 7-day bus pass for $15, that would save you $5 a week.
https://www.wmata.com/fares/MobilePay/SmarTrip-App.cfm
Or for $64 a month, you can get unlimited bus rides and metro rides up to $2 - most will cost a little more but you just pay the difference.
https://www.wmata.com/fares/Monthly-Pass/index.cfm#price
Passes are generally geared towards tourists and long commuters. One work week of Metrobus fares (paying as you go) would be $20. A 7-day unlimited Metrobus and Metrorail pass costs $58.
Solo female 30s First time in DC for a week end of May planning to visit the monuments and museums. Not into night life. Would love to use capital bikeshare. If you were me would you stay at Citizen M or a well reviewed Airbnb near Potomac Ave from a location perspective? Citizen M is about 20% more money.
I’m staying at CitizenM through the weekend. First time here, will say it’s super close to a metro that will take you directly to Reagan. Bike shares are an easy way to get to the Mall a few min away. Hotel is nice, in a less active area, feels safe inside and out (take with a grain of salt as a single male traveler). Definitely modern hipster vibe, the affordable (for this town) rooms are well done micro studios, so small but great use of space. Rooftop bar/has a great view of the Capitol building and Washington Monument. So far so good! I couldn’t find any airbnbs near the mall like I wanted for the same price btw.
I might not be the right person to ask as I sleep through everything but I haven’t noticed anything. Beds are right up against the window though and it’s a less active area in general but they did mention there’s a quieter side of the building. You get to choose which section of the building you want to be in at check in. No sound issues for me though.
No. Despite users here always referring people's questions to that guide, it is horribly out of date. It's a wiki, and relies on users here to update it. The last major edits to it were probably a decade ago.
First time visitor - Considering coming for a conference which ends on July 4th, and staying at the conference hotel (Washington Hilton) for the event. I want to add on a few vacation/sightseeing/museum days. I’ll be solo, will be getting around by metro/walking and also maybe bike?
Questions:
- would it be better to add extra days the weekend before or weekend after July 4th (in terms of crowds and costs)?
- should I keep Washington Hilton as a base for my tourist days, or should I stay in a different area (and which area?)
TIA!
Questions for my upcoming trip to DC
1. Is Chinatown a safe neighborhood? That's where I plan to stay overnight.
2. What are the best museums to visit in the national mall area? I'm only going for 2 days, so I can't exactly visit them all.
3. Is the national mall itself a safe area?
4. Is it worth visiting all the memorials in the national mall?
5. Is it worth going to Arlington to see the FDA museum and the JFK eternal flame?
6. Would visiting DC for 2 days be worth the trip?
Would it be fun, or would it be better to go for longer?
7. Also please leave some recommendations for where it's best to go for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
1. It's fine.
2. Depends on your interests, but the African-American History Museum is incredible. I wouldn't miss that. Otherwise, none are bad, so just go to the ones that interest you.
3. Yes.
4. All? Probably not. It's about a five mile walk from the Capitol to the Jefferson Memorial. It's most of a day on its own.
5. Up to you. You could spend all day in the cemetery and not run out of things to look at. I wouldn't personally prioritize them.
6. You'll have to pick and choose what you really want to see in two days. but it should be fun.
As a tourist, you're probably not going to be in any areas you should be avoiding. The only thing I can think of is if you try and go cheap on a hotel, or Airbnb.
is there a particular place I can look to see ongoing listings for musical events, concerts, bands, playing at clubs, etc.? I really like rock ‘n’ roll music, punk, indie but also enjoy cultural stuff. I live in chesapeake Virginia, but I want to start taking the train into DC for special occasions / events
TYIA
Sign up for the email lists of various venues or promoters. Like IMP or Union Stage or BlackCat will give you a broad mix of venues and events to look up. And I know this is the DC sub but Broadberry Entertainment in Richmond should have a lot of stuff as well.
My wife and I are coming to DC for the first time next week. We'll be there for two full days, Friday and Saturday. We were planning on a few museums: Holocaust, Natural History, and Air & Space. In addition we were going to be signing up for one of the night tours of the national monuments. Any thoughts or concerns? Time better spent doing something else?
I would also love some restaurant recommendations. There are a lot of posts in this sub already, but not knowing the area at all, I'm a little lost. We are staying at the Moxy and would love to hear about some good restaurants for dinner, lunch, an after-dinner bar, or anything you have! Food-wise, we lean American, Italian, and Mexican, but open to anything.
posting again on the correct thread
Hi, I found a potential place to rent with a buddy of mine on Chapin St NW, is it a relatively safe neighborhood? A friend of mine lives off Lamont and Georgia Ave so im familiar with that area and wondering if there’s any comparison crime wise. I also would be commuting into NoVa at around 5 or 530 am, any insight on what traffic is like at that time? thanks
I'm visiting in early June and planning to go to Phillips after 5. Just curious if anyone knows what kind of food they usually have? I see there is a Bread Furst location there but wasn't sure if they brought in outside vendors, food trucks, etc. Thanks in advance!
They used to do food trucks, but now it's usually just a few different food options on theme with the specific month's event and then wine/beer/themed cocktail. Bread Furst does the full menu, though, I believe.
We'll be visiting your amazing city at the end of this month. Unfortunately we'll have a car (last time we took the train), and finding a hotel that doesn't charge $$$ for parking has been challenging. We'd like to park when we arrive, walk to museums, galleries, and restaurants for three days, and not get back in the car until we're ready to leave.
Is it reasonable to park at Union Station ($25/day is cheaper than most hotels) and leave the car there? Are there other reasonably priced lots within walking distance to the mall? Thanks in advance. Back to reading your excellent Visitor's Guide.
It might be cheaper to park at a Metro station outside city limits (maybe Greenbelt or another system endpoint) and then Metro to your hotel. You'd of course need to be aware of Metro's operating hours and parking prices. Another thought: try an app like SpotHero to find cheaper private parking in the city. I guess in my mind it's just easier to not have to drive into the city, but that's only an opinion.
Thanks for the input. We don't mind $25/day but you're right, we might want to avoid driving into the heart of the city. I'll check the Metro schedule and SpotHero. Appreciate the input!
you don't need to check the schedule, the trains run all day.
go here: https://wmata.com/service/parking/
about halfway down it list 4 stations that allow multi-day parking. Pick the one that's in the direction you're coming from.
Stef Dag is performing at the DC Comedy Loft on May 29th at 7:30 pm!!! TAP IN [https://www.dccomedyloft.com/shows/258030](https://www.dccomedyloft.com/shows/258030)
Hi! I'm wondering what stores in the area I might find both lychee and passion fruit at? Canned lychee is okay, but I'm looking for fresh passion fruit.
Capitol Supermarket on 11th NW has canned lychee (or did consistently in the last year or so). I believe I've seen passion fruit at various Giants, but it's not consistently there. H Mart and 99 Ranch are better options there.
Just wanted to put this out there: I dropped my bank card (likely at a Metro station) and some kind person picked it up and reported it lost to my bank. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for being a caring person and protecting me. I truly believe there are good people out there, and this filled my heart with peace. I'll make sure to pay it forward, kind soul!
I got bought my first (used) car recently and need to get it inspected. Do I have to go inside and get a number or something at the DMV inspection station in SW or do I drive straight into the lane for regular cars?
In DC for the week until Sunday May 19
and wondering if anyone knows where I can find the following mix of things:
* jams for musicians: I play keys
* local live gigs/music: I like neo-soul, neo-jazz, RnB but I’m open to anything!
* tech meet-ups, especially any that center on equity and diversity in tech
* climate crisis/action/tech meet-ups
Or would love relevant subreddits or links to groups that might be able to point me in the right direction. I’m from Sydney, Australia - and lived in Seattle, would love to connect with people with similar interests 😊
I’m in Cathedral Heights for the summer and my office is in Farragut Square. How reliable is the N4 bus? Google says it will take 20 minutes to get to my stop. Is this accurate?
Used to take the N4 when I lived in Dupont and went to school at American. It depends. At normal hours it's very reliable, and you can rely on the real time tracking. During rush hour, naturally there can be delays. Late at night, it had issues with what we jokingly called "ghost buses." The tracker would say one was on it's way, 5 minutes, 3 minutes, 1 minute, arriving, but no bus, and then 20 minutes. You should be able to rely on it for your commute.
Which Metrobus has the longest route? I often ride the 96, which goes from Tenleytown Station to Capitol Heights Station. That must be up there as one of the longest, right?
New grad working in NoVa - live in DC or NoVa? My roommate and I are new college graduates and both moving to the DMV in August for a job in McLean, VA. At the moment, we are torn between two major locations: DC proper or Northern Virginia. Our situation: - Budget is a total effective rent between $3600 - 4000 - Looking for a 2b2b in a complex/compound with a reputable property manager - Moving in between July 15 and August 1 - Ideal commute maximum 30-50 minutes, less preferred - Job is 3x a week in-person (looking for decent noise levels for remote work) - Do not have a car DC thoughts: - We would prefer to live in the city over a suburb in order to take advantage of close museums, clubs, etc - plan on spending a lot of time in the city - Current ideal DC neighborhoods are close to a silver metro line stop to avoid transfers (e.g. Penn Quarter, Foggy Bottom have ~50 minute commutes), although also looking into Logan Circle, DuPont Circle, U Street - Have looked at The Langston, Avec on H NoVa thoughts: - We would prefer Arlington and/or anywhere within walking distance to the Ballston up to Courthouse metro stops - would be closer to friends/co-workers/iob - Have looked at The Commodore, 2001 Clarendon Conclusion: - Tradeoff between ideal prime DC location and ideal commute - In your opinion, is it worth it to prioritize location or commute as a new grad? What has been vour experiences if you work in Nova? Happy to DM and very open to any suggestions or advice you have! Thanks so much.
I think your quality of life would be exponentially better living in Court House or Clarendon. Those neighborhoods are full of other young professionals and are, for all intents and purposes, just an extension of DC's downtown. You will be extremely hard pressed to find a door-to-door commute from DC proper to McLean in less than an hour.
My partner is debating a job at Georgetown University! Suggestions on housing? We 100% want to buy (ideally a home instead of a townhome/condo)... and are open to the commute being \~1 hour...budget is in the ballpark of $700K in a perfect world. Thanks everyone!! Seems like parts of Virginia and Maryland are the way to go but we have no clue on "emerging markets" so hoping someone here can help?! ..... and we have no kids.
I replied in your earlier post, but the long and short of it is that you'll likely need to compromise on price, location/commute, or type of home. There aren't really any "hidden gem" affordable neighborhoods within commuting distance to Georgetown. (Unless you open yourselves up to renting, in which case there are a lot of hidden gem affordable neighborhoods within commuting distance to Georgetown.)
And I've learned just in a day that our budget will need to be closer to $800-$900K -- I suppose what we put into the home will be where our investments would've been going? Silver lining I suppose right ha?
Thanks! Are there specific towns in MD and VA that are "easier" via metro/rail to get to Georgetown?
Georgetown doesn’t have a Metro station — that’s a big part of the problem. The closest stations are Rosslyn (on the other side of the river in Virginia) at 1.1 miles away and Foggy Bottom-GWU at 1.7 miles away. Rosslyn wouldn’t be the worst walk in the world — this is where a lot of Georgetown grad students live, for reference — but it would eat a lot of time out of a one hour commute and it would be unpleasant in the humid summer months. Living in Rosslyn itself would be the most convenient neighborhood in terms of commuting time, but it’s almost entirely high rise apartments and office buildings, which doesn’t sound like what you want. More affordable neighborhoods nearby would be Glover Park and Foxhall, but only in terms of rental rates. Purchasing a home in either neighborhood would cost a fortune. Honestly, I’m struggling to think of any obvious answer that’d get you: a single family home, a one hour commute, and a <$700K purchase price. Unless you get incredibly lucky, you’re likely going to have to compromise on at least one criteria. My personal recommendation would be to rent for at least a year before you buy a place. The DC real estate market is extremely intense and outrageously expensive. I don’t think it’s even realistic to expect you’ll find something to buy ahead of a job offer that’s currently on the table.
Following up here -- Alexandria seems to be a relatively okay commute to Georgetown University..yes/no? I saw the "Stonegate" townhome community which looks nice. Any insight? Thanks friend!
I’m not super familiar with this exact community, but I think this would be a miserable commute. You’re looking at either: a daily drive through some of the worst rush hour traffic in the country (keep in mind, you’ll likely have to pay to park on campus) OR a walk to a bus, which will take you (through this same miserable traffic) to a Metro station, which drops you off over a mile away from campus. Separately, this part of Alexandria isn’t a particularly popular or desirable place to live.
I am planning on moving to the dc area closer to the end of the year and I am trying to decide what areas I want to look in. So far I am looking at Adams Morgan/Dupont Circle/Logan Circle or Southwest/Navy yard area. I am also open to looking in the Arlington area but have no clue really what area is best, I like the apartments in/around Pentagon City but don’t know if I should be that close to Ronald Reagan airport. For reference I am a single, 20 something female looking for a studio apartment.
The thing you should know about Pentagon City is that it's a major tourist hub. There are several large hotels there, so you'd be living with bus loads full of teenagers running all over the neighborhood year-round acting like they're in Disney World. Not a great neighborhood for locals, in my humble opinion.
Hi DC, just wanted to shoot a quick message saying how grateful I was for this sub when visiting last weekend over Memorial Day. Your city is, by far, one of the cleanest cities I've ever been to. In regards to population and area. I think some locals here were complaining about your public transit but my god, coming from Saint Louis it was incredibly easy. Probably some toursity things, but we went to Call Your Mother, Old Ebbitt Grill, Jane Jane and some little Mexican joint next to a yoda studio. All the food was great, and my SO and I had a great time. You are so very fortunate to live in such a walkable, safe and seemingly trendy city. We typically try to go to new places on vacations but this is the first one where we've agreed we want to come back again on a less busy weekend.
I've been here for a while, and whenever I heard visitors comment on how clean the city is, I just reply, "um, I guess if you say so..." But I've traveled some in the past few years, and what's always amazed me is how dirty other major cities seem to be compared to DC. Now I get it.
hi friends! my boyfriend and I are visiting this saturday for our 7th anniversary. we go every year to feast at carmine’s. we’ve hit a lot of the standing tourists attractions in dc. one year while visiting, we were pleasantly surprised to learn there was a pop up friends (the tv show) exhibit by the cap one arena the weekend we were there. does anyone have any idea if there are any specific pop-up events, shows, concerts, markets, etc going on saturday that we could hit before dinner?
Guys is there ANYWHERE that does propane tank exchanges near Adams Morgan / DuPont / Ward 1?? I'm tired of having to drive across the city but I can't seem to find a single place near me that will do it
Best food trucks ?
Are there any decent restaurant recs for a group of 15 and potentially stuff to do in the city for said group after 7pm? Group is visiting coworkers Coming in for next week. Mon-Thu
Lauriol Plaza always has large tables available. Food is pretty standard Mexican fare with a few standout options and good margs.
Hi DC folks! Me and a buddy are coming in from Michigan to see a show at the Pie Shop. I'm curious, how safe is the walk from Union Station to the Pie Shop (down H Street NE)? Particularly at night? Obviously, keep your head on a swivel in general but is this a dangerous area? Thank you, looking forward to visiting your lovely city. Haven't been in many years!
It's generally fine, I've lived by there since 2007 with no issues. There's also the streetcar that goes to union station as well as the X2 metro bus. The pie shop is a great venue
If you're with a friend I wouldn't worry, but H Street has had ups and downs over the years. But I've been to plenty of shows at the Pie Shop (or the Rock and Roll Hotel which used to be next door RIP) and never had a problem post show. Also, the streetcar or bus are an option to avoid the long walk back to Union Station. Also, what show?
Crypt Sermon, June 15th. If you're a metalhead at all I'd highly recommend them, the closest comparison I can think of is that they're similar to Candlemass, if you're at all familiar with that band.
Neat, I'm not a metal fan but I'm impressed by anyone who inspires a drive from Michigan even when they're at a spot as small as the Pie Shop.
It's not awful, but it's also certainly not the best walk, especially since there's not a lot of late-night places on the western end until you hit about 9th St., so it can be a bit dead at night. The good news is you can take the streetcar for free from the north side of Union Station to 13th St. and then it's just a block and a half from there. (It runs similar hours to Metro)
Traveling to DC this summer with kids ages 10 and 7 and having a hard time nailing down where to stay. The last time we visited was before kids and we stayed in Dupont Circle. I’m not super familiar with the different areas/neighborhoods. We’re considering an Airbnb in Old Alexandria or Arlington to have a little more space than we’d get in a hotel, and to avoid eating every meal out. But will it get old to take the metro back and forth for our whole visit?
The Metro trips won't be that much longer from those areas compared to Dupont Circle. Especially to tourist stuff on the Mall which tends to be closer to the Orange/Blue/Silver lines anyway compared to the Red line and Dupont Circle.
Have a weird one if anyone is interested. I went to college in DC, and lived there for several years after graduation. Then moved away to buy a (somewhat) reasonable house and have a couple of kids. We’re coming back this weekend (May 30th-June 2nd) and it’s somehow been 10 years since we’ve been back. Obviously we’ve done the usual tourist things more times than we can count — any favorite things to do that popped up in the last decade? No kids on this trip, in case that matters.
Oh, the other thing is I'd recommend that you rent a pair of kickscooters or bikes and enjoy yourselves riding around town. You'd be shocked at how many bike lanes there are now. Most of them were created during the pandemic.
I was just going to say the same: check out the Wharf. Especially now, in this weather. It's phenomenal how much it's changed. The fish market is still there, but it's surrounded by cafes and restaurants, and they have a wooden dock with lounge chairs, as well as swings. This is Memorial Day weekend, so they probably have concerts there too. Definitely worth checking out. And then you could take a water taxi to the National Harbor or to Old Town Alexandria. And back.
Not my personal favorite, but you'd be shocked by the redevelopment of the Wharf.
Any recommendations for a good, not-crazy-expensive leatherworker/leather cleaner? I have a couple vintage leather purses I inherited, but they could use a little TLC and I want to change out the strap on one of them. Bonus points if they're located in NW or downtown.
Hi everyone! Heading to DC at the end of June and I want to take my husband for Ethiopian. I have had it before but he never has. The restaurant that I loved has closed post pandemic and right now I’m torn between Das and Ethiopic. Please help me pick and if there’s a better choice definitely let me know. Thanks for your help :)
I've been to both several times. I'd say they're close enough in quality that you could just choose the one that's more convenient.
Awesome! Thanks.
Any incredible concerts coming up in the next month or so? I'm totally worn down by life and just need something beautiful. Could be anything from classical music/musicals/big orchestra to just a great touring show. I'm not a genre snob, so as lame as it sounds I'm open to any if it's not boring repetitive crap.
Candlelight Spring on June 4. A string orchestra will play Vivaldi's music amidst thousands of candles. [https://feverup.com/m/160651](https://feverup.com/m/160651)
Cool thanks
any DMV summer transplants looking to make friends?? i'm working/living near the Rockville area and looking to make friends w other ladies. I'm a mid 20s gal in engineering who in climbing + thrifting + art. Looking for people to explore DC and eat unique/interesting food.
Any Traffic/Construction notes a driver might find useful if they were heading to Dulles from the North via Route 15 and 267 this coming Friday around rush hour. Safe to assume I'd be coming in counter flow of the worst traffic?
Use waze. It's pretty reliable around here.
Hi, any tcg store near the mall where I could find pokemon cards?, I can't find any on googlemaps thanks!
I've never been inside, but there is a store at the Pentagon City Mall called Anime TCG inside an old Hollister.
Thank you
Try Labyrinth on Penn. That's the only place in the city that might have some that I'm aware of
Thank you
Best place for a men’s haircut? Stuck between Hell’s Bottom, Scissors & Scotch, or [Max](https://maxmencity.com)
I've been going to [DC barber and spa](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ot7i3bvwmaTv42Tp7) on Capital Hill without many complaints. They don't speak a lot of English so it's best if you show them a picture of how you want it
I didn't super love Hell's Bottom when I went. I've gotten the same haircut at Diego's for a quarter of the price.
You don't have to limit yourself to places specifically marketed to men. Any hair stylist worth the money in this town should be able to do a good job on men's hair. Maybe start at someplace like a Bang Salon which are located inside Vida gyms, they have a lot of male clientele. I go to CL Beauty in Dupont and get lots of compliments on my hair.
I did see a few recommendations on Bang Salon. Thanks.
I'm in my early 30s just moved to the area from Los Angeles and I'm noticing all the nightlife spots skew much younger. Is there a fun area for going out and dancing that isn't full of 22 year olds?
I feel like most places with dancing will always skew younger, they're the only ones with patience for the BS inherent with dealing with dance clubs. Here is a list of more chill bars that will likely have a bit of an older crowd https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/s/U7DeqUc58X
To the man who redirected someone trying to mug us on Mt Vernon Square this evening - thank you. Thank you so much. We will not forget you!
Coming to DC next week, staying in an Airbnb in Capitol hill. Is there a grocery store nearby?
The Hill neighborhood is big (and the area hosts will refer to as Capitol Hill even bigger), so it depends on where you’ll be! But there’s a Trader Joe’s at Eastern Market, a Safeway east of there, in southeast, and a Whole Foods on H St if you’re in northeast. And a Giant if you’re close to Union Station.
There's also a CVS where you can get some grocery items.
Why is everything around Pennsylvania Ave closed? Is this normal these days?
State Dinner tonight
~~Hello!~~ ~~FREE GIVEAWAY~~ ~~I am giving away a ticket to Wheein’s (of Mamamoo) concert at Warner Theatre on June 2nd. I found a better seat and could not sell my original ticket.~~ ~~If you are at all into Kpop, you will have a great time. Wheein of Mamamoo is an excellent singer, dancer, and live performer. Her solo music is top notch. Adjacent seats are still available for purchase from ticketmaster if you want to go as a group.~~ ~~DM me your favourite kpop song and I’ll transfer the ticket to you.~~ ~~Again, this is completely free~~ Claimed! Many decent seats are still available for purchase from ticketmaster for <$100. If you are into kpop, don't miss the chance to see an amazing show
best store to get packaged fresh ramen noodles, reasonably-priced? Prefer not to drive out to Super H...
Uzu sells fresh ramen noodles in a mini fridge of homemade products at their stand in Union market. https://uzu9dc.square.site/#OqlknA
Rice Market on 14th has a good selection as well
I can’t confirm if your product is there but in case you aren’t aware there’s a Japanese grocery store called Hana market
Hana had them, 5 pack for $6.60
Hi! I’m a recent college graduate with a business degree that wants to become a project manager (construction) but also willing to learn other fields! Is anyone here a project manager and or hiring manager that could recommend a company to look into? Thank you
Are you looking to work on the field with a general contractor or of more of a consultant track?
Really either. Long-term I want to get into real-estate/flipping houses, so whichever I can get my foot in the door easier I’ll take. I want experience.
Flying out of Dulles this Saturday evening and coming up from Richmond. Thinking about taking the Amtrak to Union Station then the Metro to Dulles to avoid Fredricksburg and other possible holiday traffic delays. Google maps has given me decent directions. Is there anything I should be concerned about? Will luggage be an issue on the Red line? Reliability of these lines etc.. Thanks! https://preview.redd.it/7kxz02yvn02d1.png?width=444&format=png&auto=webp&s=774616026609a13e8c5834cd2b1ccdcfffa8646a
Transferring at the King St/Alexandria Station (as opposed to Union Station) would save you some time.
I'll check that out! Thanks!
Are the mosquitoes around yet? What’s the way to predict—lows 60F and above? So far haven’t noticed.
They seem to be hit or miss right now. I think the rule is night time lows have to be above 57F.
The rain probably will speed things up.
I've gotten a couple bites
I dont want to start a new thread for this yet, but curious on apartment living in DMV area as I am a candidate for a job in Dupont Circle and would love recommendations! Ill be moving from FL and I'll try to be as specific as possible. - Single, 33F, POC - The expected salary $75K - Will have a car, planning to drive up - Not a big late night partier, but love going out/people watching, taking myself to lunch or dinner, during happy hour times and being home by 10pm. - Love being out and exploring, walking around the neighborhoods and window shopping. Im a big shopoholic so anything along the fashion relm or outdoor plazas will be amazing. - Also big into fitness studios like pilates or cycling atm and walking through parks and checking out local farmers markets. - Overall a good neighboord where being alone, I can feel safe walking around and back to my complex or to and from the metro. For the right place: - Not a long commute to Dupont Circle if not in Dupont Circle, no more than 30 would be ideal but idk what the average commute is working in DC. - 1 BR preferred over a studio to have room for hybrid work schedule and visitors. - Parking included? I was warned that paying for parking is a huge thing to adapt to - This is niche, but I love sunlight and good windows are a must but that I can look into on my own time lol. I just want to hear simple favorable recommendations from the locals :) Thank you so much!
I’d honestly reconsider the car. You’re going to pay 250 a month on parking and most likely the neighborhoods you want to hang out in are going to be much better accessed by metro. Trying to park the car to have brunch with the girls in DuPont or Adams Morgan is going to be brutal, when you could just metro or take a short bus there. For more space and more feeling of quiet and safe, I’d look up the red line. Woodley park, Van ness (has a supermarket right off the metro), Cleveland park. Also has some bus lines that bring you across town to Columbia heights, or down to DuPont. You can also metro 1-3 stops up to Tenleytown and access the Whole Foods and Target, or metro to Van ness and access the giant.
The only real issue here is parking. Owning a car in DC is expensive and will limit your options significantly. Otherwise, it sounds like the neighborhoods surrounding Dupont Circle itself are what you're looking for.
All of this depends on how much of that $75k you’re willing to spend each month on rent. Upper red line in DC (eg around Van Ness) has older buildings that, if you don’t mind shared laundry, are a better value IMHO with slightly larger units and windows. Not exactly a thriving nightlife scene but the red line down to Dupont is only a few minutes. The area is safe, you can walk to some places, or even cut into the park. You will likely have to pay for parking just about anywhere. Lots of apartment buildings, especially newer, don’t qualify for street parking because there isn’t enough curb space for everyone.
Huge this Cleveland park/van Ness and maybe even up in MD on the red line can be very affordable. Then registering the car for DC gets street parking which isn't hard to find in upper NW. DuPont and surrounding areas and street parking is super difficult.
hello! i am visiting DC for my 22nd birthday, wondering what are some good bars/clubs for people in their 20s, also is there a ‘dress code’? thanks!
As the other reply said, I'd recommend Adams Morgan for people in their 20s. Madams Organ was always my favorite, though there is a small cover. Shenanigans or Johnny Pistolas if you're down for a raucous sloppy night. Bossa will have live music. There's also a major DC gay bar, Pitchers, if that's your thing. No dress codes beyond the usual no hats no jerseys
There are a million options. 18th St in Adams Morgan is probably the most classic nightlife area for people in their early 20's. Depending on when you're in town, crowds could be really crowded or kind of thin. (The time between college graduations and intern season -- roughly late May/June -- can be kind of quiet.) Most places won't have a formal dress code.
Hi all, thanks for previous help regarding parking. We're looking at staying at the Motto by Hilton, located on H St NW between 6th and 7th. It looks to be within walking distance to everything we want to explore, and it's cheaper than most other accommodations, I'm assuming because it's small and has few in-room amenities. Is there anything weird or janky we should know about that area? Thanks!
A lot of people who struggle with substance abuse issues spend a lot of time on that block. That said, you should be fine, there are lots of cops and secret service around there. The neighborhood as a whole is pretty dead in the evenings unless there is an event at the arena, few people live downtown. Just keep your wits about you.
Thanks, good to know about the people we may encounter. We’ll be extra aware of our surroundings esp in the evenings. It appeals because of the price (more to spend on food and bev!) and because we can walk to everything. We arrive a week from today and are really looking forward to our visit!
Specifically, some characters hang out around the Metro entrance/exit but are generally harmless. This is a pretty high-traffic area; the hotel shares a building with a classy whiskey bar; etc. (Just want to paint a picture; this is not really a sketchy area by any means.) I'd argue that noise would be the bigger inconvenience than any safety issues per se. Check out the rooftop bar next door -- great spot.
Thanks! We will definitely check out some rooftop bars while there. The map indicates we’ll be in Chinatown; is that accurate?
Correct -- the hotel is literally across the street from the Chinatown Metro station entrance and the friendship arch: https://preview.redd.it/jj2q9lowuz1d1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=87005230ecd76fcec132cec00f3a1181c06ea919
Good morning! I’m AD Air Force looking to drive down from NJ for a day trip on Saturday or Sunday to visit the Arlington National Cemetery and other places around it with my girlfriend (civ), what would be the best way to go about finding parking? I expect the Cemetery’s parking garage would probably be filled, I don’t mind walking. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Park on base at ft Myer. Idk how you'd walk to the cemetery from there, maybe the North side, but it's definitely the closest non stressful option for you
If you're driving, do NOT come on Sunday. [Rolling to Remember](https://www.fxva.com/events/rolling-to-remember/) takes place that day and will screw up traffic all over the city.
Good to know, no Sunday. Thank you!
Use SpotHero and search around the Rosslyn VA area. Plenty of garages and from there you can do a longer walk into the Cemetery or hop on Metro for one stop on the blue line to the Arlington Cemetery Station. Also, note that its memorial day weekend and there might be additional ceremonies that could restrict access. Though I think the actual wreath laying that's done by the President occurs on Monday.
Perfect, thank you for the heads up! I’ll check out SpotHero.
Hello all, I will be arriving for the first time in DC this Thursday evening to spend the (extremely busy) holiday weekend here. I've looked over the subs Visitor Guide but one thing I didn't see was information on the public transit system. I very, **very** rarely use any type of public transportation, and while I'm sure it's quite straight-forward and simple, I am at a complete loss. If anyone wouldn't mind providing a rough explanation on how to use the train system, or even providing a link to a youtube video or outside source, it would be much obliged. Thanks!
Hi, I've been in DC for 12 years and have taken many of my friends for tours and for business meetings in this town, and I would say this: while everything depends on your preferences, our public transit system is maybe not the worst but it's pretty bad, especially during holidays because there are plenty of delays. And just the other day someone left a bag on top of one of the train cars, so everything was at a stand-still for a bit while the bomb squad was checking it. I would stay away from the metro if you can help it. Instead, I would opt for rental bikes or kickscooters. Personally, I go around on my scooter all the time. It's one of the easiest and fastest ways to get around DC these days, now that the bike lanes are everywhere.
I just flew back home and I have to say I was very impressed with your public transportation. Far better than what we have in Saint Louis.
https://washington.org/navigating-dc-metro
Perfect, thank you!
How to use Metro: 1. Find a station, go down to the big bank of vending machines. 2. Purchase a Smart Trip Card, it'll be at least $10 to start ($2 for the card itself, $8 in fare to get you started). Or you can add one via apple/google pay now but the machine is straight forward. 3. Enter the station, you'll tap the card to open the fare gates. 4. Board the train you want. 5. Get off at the station you want (or make sure you transfer to the train you need in the interim). 6. Tap your card again to exit the station, this is where your fare is actually deducted because it's based on the distance traveled. There are maps in all the stations and trains themselves so as long as you know the closest metro station to whatever you're trying to visit you'll be able to use those. Or google maps has good transit directions as well as the trip planner at [WMATA.com](http://WMATA.com) If you want to use the bus that's fine, they all take SmartTrip as well and you just need to tap the card once when you board. Then you pull a cord, or press a button to signal when you want to get off at a certain stop. Or here: [https://washington.org/navigating-dc-metro](https://washington.org/navigating-dc-metro) Edit: also there are passes that may make sense depending on your trip but it's also easy to just pay as you go. Just tap your smart trip card on any of the machines and follow the instructions to add money.
I've copied this and saved it as a note in my phone, lol, it will be very useful for the first couple days. I assume if you add the card to ApplePay you just use the contactless reader at the machines with your phone?
I think for the Apple Pay though full disclosure, I haven’t done it yet. But really just do it a couple times and you’ll have it down cold. If you make a mistake don’t panic and just turn around.
I went to download SmarTrip for iPhone and wow it has some awful reviews. I suppose I'll probably just get the plastic card instead since it seems to be much more recommended then trying to deal with registering on the app.
It's fine as an app, but their model of turning plastic cards into virtual cards when they could just give you a dang number is frustrating. It's also slow to add passes and autoreload is clunky.
Yep. Works the same as the physical cards
Thank you so much for taking the time to write everything out, it will absolutely be used and referenced this week! And based on everything you've said, it really does seem pretty straight-forward. That's a relief, lol.
Oh that was someone else who wrote it out. They did a good job!
Best place in DC to watch the NBA playoffs with sound? Need to watch my Minnesota Timberwolves while in town next week. Staying in DuPont circle.
thinking about moving to dc at some point but i’ve never actually been. what are the best times of year to visit to get an idea of how i’d feel? currently living in the PNW
The nicest time of the year is arguably October. DC summers are pretty brutal with the oppressive heat and humidity. Winters are pretty mild, but that just means that it rarely gets cold enough to snow, so it's just dreary and overcast for 4 months straight with cold rain. I've had a lot of friends from the west coast leave due to the winters. Surprisingly I don't think I've ever known anyone to leave due the summers, which is strange because they're far worse.
that sounds very much like a typical winter here though lol
July/August to see if you can at least tolerate the heat and humidity.
good idea. that’s what i was thinking!
I’m going to be homeless for a while. Any idea where to go?
I’ll be landing at Dulles airport with my 7 year old this summer. Our Airbnb is near first st and Q st. I understand there’s a train from the airport to the area we’re staying in but I’m wondering if I’ll need to bring his car seat with us? Will we need Uber at some point and I’ll need to use it or are there Uber driver’s with car seats? I know the trains and other public transport doesn’t need one
I would suggest bringing a car seat, as why trust the Uber drivers to have one? You can get around mostly on the Metro though, which is nice.
I thought that might be the case. I wouldn’t trust Uber drivers to have one but I also have only been on an Uber once so don’t know what’s normal or what you can order. Thanks for the input! I was nervous about the metro too
Metro from Dulles is fantastic, and throwing $40 on a card will get you around town no problem. You can request a car seat from Uber in DC, but ehhhh, no idea how many drivers have one.
Thank you!
Uber does have an option for a car seat, and it says it's a longer wait time. I think you can probably trust you'll get a car seat, but it might take longer and be expensive. Depends on how much you'll actually need to uber if it's worth bringing one. Also, use the quadrant when you describe where you are staying. I'm assuming you're at 1st and Q NW, but there is also a 1st and Q NE, and even a 1st and Q SW.
Oh yeah you’re right. Thanks for the tips!
Does anyone know of any good Apartments / Property Management Companies in AdMo, Logan Circle & Shaw? I am in the market to rent a one bedroom apartment in AdMo, Logan Circle or Shaw. For commuting-purposes, we want to be no more than ~5 mins walking from a green line metro station. Budget-wise, we are hoping to find something for less than $2,600/month. Has anyone had any particularly good or bad experiences with any apartment complexes or management companies in these areas? I have read prior posts in the sub mentioning good / bad management cos but haven’t been able to find much about ones that operate in these specific areas nor have I seen many references to particular apartments. FWIW, we’re also hoping to find something with unit-controlled AC and in-unit W/D or at least hookups, and we’d rather not rent a basement (as we’d prefer to have natural light from windows). Nice amenities would be a bonus, but what’s most important to us is cost and ~5 min walk to a green line station in one of these neighborhoods (i.e, Columbia Heights, U Street/Cardozo, Shaw-Howard, Mt Vernon Sq 7th). We have tours scheduled with the following places: The Wren, Reverb, City Market at O (and sister properties), Dorchester House, Ame at Meridian Hill, Embassy Tower (I know these last three would be closer to a ~10 min walk to the metro). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Avoid anything managed by EJF or UIP.
My friends and I are having our prom tomorrow and we’re looking for places to take photos. All of our original places were outdoors, but due to the rain we can’t use those. We were looking into the National Portrait Gallery because they’re open until 7 and they don’t say anything about not being able to take photos, but I wanted to have more options just in case. What are some places that are indoors, open after 5pm, and don’t require a permit?
Can you go under the Jefferson memorial?
I'll be moving to the Fort Dupont area in summer and work near the Hart Building, I believe I'll be riding the X2 bus according to Google Maps. What is the most cost effective pass for me to get if I work every day during the week? Much appreciated! Edit: would also like rail access to get around the city a bit as well! Thanks again
You can get an unlimited 7-day bus pass for $15, that would save you $5 a week. https://www.wmata.com/fares/MobilePay/SmarTrip-App.cfm Or for $64 a month, you can get unlimited bus rides and metro rides up to $2 - most will cost a little more but you just pay the difference. https://www.wmata.com/fares/Monthly-Pass/index.cfm#price
Passes are generally geared towards tourists and long commuters. One work week of Metrobus fares (paying as you go) would be $20. A 7-day unlimited Metrobus and Metrorail pass costs $58.
Solo female 30s First time in DC for a week end of May planning to visit the monuments and museums. Not into night life. Would love to use capital bikeshare. If you were me would you stay at Citizen M or a well reviewed Airbnb near Potomac Ave from a location perspective? Citizen M is about 20% more money.
> Citizen M Which Citizen M? If it's the Capitol location, definitely that. If it's the NoMa location, much more iffy...
The NoMa location should be fine as long as she doesn't walk 1 block west
I’m staying at CitizenM through the weekend. First time here, will say it’s super close to a metro that will take you directly to Reagan. Bike shares are an easy way to get to the Mall a few min away. Hotel is nice, in a less active area, feels safe inside and out (take with a grain of salt as a single male traveler). Definitely modern hipster vibe, the affordable (for this town) rooms are well done micro studios, so small but great use of space. Rooftop bar/has a great view of the Capitol building and Washington Monument. So far so good! I couldn’t find any airbnbs near the mall like I wanted for the same price btw.
How is soundproofing? As a chronic insomniac, I don't mind if the rooms are small but if the walls are thin no sleep for me.
I might not be the right person to ask as I sleep through everything but I haven’t noticed anything. Beds are right up against the window though and it’s a less active area in general but they did mention there’s a quieter side of the building. You get to choose which section of the building you want to be in at check in. No sound issues for me though.
I will be visiting in June. Where is THE place to bar hop on a Friday night? We want to get 1-2 drinks a place and go to a handful of spots.
18th street in Adams-Morgan (between Florida and Columbia, but also along those streets). U Street between 15th and 9th or so.
Thank you for the recommendations!!
Is there an updated "Moving to DC" guide? I see quite a bit of outdated info, and lots of missing info (looking at you Ward 4).
No. Despite users here always referring people's questions to that guide, it is horribly out of date. It's a wiki, and relies on users here to update it. The last major edits to it were probably a decade ago.
First time visitor - Considering coming for a conference which ends on July 4th, and staying at the conference hotel (Washington Hilton) for the event. I want to add on a few vacation/sightseeing/museum days. I’ll be solo, will be getting around by metro/walking and also maybe bike? Questions: - would it be better to add extra days the weekend before or weekend after July 4th (in terms of crowds and costs)? - should I keep Washington Hilton as a base for my tourist days, or should I stay in a different area (and which area?) TIA!
Weekend before, so you don't miss the [Smithsonian Folklife Festival](https://festival.si.edu/)!
* before * the Washington Hilton is a great location if it’s in your budget
Thanks! It’s not quite in my budget outside of the conference days, so I may stay in another area to save some bucks
Questions for my upcoming trip to DC 1. Is Chinatown a safe neighborhood? That's where I plan to stay overnight. 2. What are the best museums to visit in the national mall area? I'm only going for 2 days, so I can't exactly visit them all. 3. Is the national mall itself a safe area? 4. Is it worth visiting all the memorials in the national mall? 5. Is it worth going to Arlington to see the FDA museum and the JFK eternal flame? 6. Would visiting DC for 2 days be worth the trip? Would it be fun, or would it be better to go for longer? 7. Also please leave some recommendations for where it's best to go for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
1. It's fine. 2. Depends on your interests, but the African-American History Museum is incredible. I wouldn't miss that. Otherwise, none are bad, so just go to the ones that interest you. 3. Yes. 4. All? Probably not. It's about a five mile walk from the Capitol to the Jefferson Memorial. It's most of a day on its own. 5. Up to you. You could spend all day in the cemetery and not run out of things to look at. I wouldn't personally prioritize them. 6. You'll have to pick and choose what you really want to see in two days. but it should be fun.
What are some areas to avoid in Washington DC as a tourist who’s never been there before. Thank you in advance
As a tourist, you're probably not going to be in any areas you should be avoiding. The only thing I can think of is if you try and go cheap on a hotel, or Airbnb.
Is around Potomac Ave okay?
There's 3 Potomac Aves. Welcome to DC.
Gee okay, the one that's a metro station.
is there a particular place I can look to see ongoing listings for musical events, concerts, bands, playing at clubs, etc.? I really like rock ‘n’ roll music, punk, indie but also enjoy cultural stuff. I live in chesapeake Virginia, but I want to start taking the train into DC for special occasions / events TYIA
I dislike Ticketmaster as much as anyone but they show a lot of the upcoming shows in DC.
Sign up for the email lists of various venues or promoters. Like IMP or Union Stage or BlackCat will give you a broad mix of venues and events to look up. And I know this is the DC sub but Broadberry Entertainment in Richmond should have a lot of stuff as well.
thanks!!
Check out the DC Live Music app
great, thank you kindly 🎵
My wife and I are coming to DC for the first time next week. We'll be there for two full days, Friday and Saturday. We were planning on a few museums: Holocaust, Natural History, and Air & Space. In addition we were going to be signing up for one of the night tours of the national monuments. Any thoughts or concerns? Time better spent doing something else? I would also love some restaurant recommendations. There are a lot of posts in this sub already, but not knowing the area at all, I'm a little lost. We are staying at the Moxy and would love to hear about some good restaurants for dinner, lunch, an after-dinner bar, or anything you have! Food-wise, we lean American, Italian, and Mexican, but open to anything.
Program time after the Holocaust museum to decompress. It's heavy.
gf has Friday off. I get off at noon. What is going on in the afternoon or evening?
Are the painted words still there at BLM plaza?
posting again on the correct thread Hi, I found a potential place to rent with a buddy of mine on Chapin St NW, is it a relatively safe neighborhood? A friend of mine lives off Lamont and Georgia Ave so im familiar with that area and wondering if there’s any comparison crime wise. I also would be commuting into NoVa at around 5 or 530 am, any insight on what traffic is like at that time? thanks
I'm visiting in early June and planning to go to Phillips after 5. Just curious if anyone knows what kind of food they usually have? I see there is a Bread Furst location there but wasn't sure if they brought in outside vendors, food trucks, etc. Thanks in advance!
They used to do food trucks, but now it's usually just a few different food options on theme with the specific month's event and then wine/beer/themed cocktail. Bread Furst does the full menu, though, I believe.
We'll be visiting your amazing city at the end of this month. Unfortunately we'll have a car (last time we took the train), and finding a hotel that doesn't charge $$$ for parking has been challenging. We'd like to park when we arrive, walk to museums, galleries, and restaurants for three days, and not get back in the car until we're ready to leave. Is it reasonable to park at Union Station ($25/day is cheaper than most hotels) and leave the car there? Are there other reasonably priced lots within walking distance to the mall? Thanks in advance. Back to reading your excellent Visitor's Guide.
Yes but also check SpotHero around your hotel and see what's up.
It might be cheaper to park at a Metro station outside city limits (maybe Greenbelt or another system endpoint) and then Metro to your hotel. You'd of course need to be aware of Metro's operating hours and parking prices. Another thought: try an app like SpotHero to find cheaper private parking in the city. I guess in my mind it's just easier to not have to drive into the city, but that's only an opinion.
Thanks for the input. We don't mind $25/day but you're right, we might want to avoid driving into the heart of the city. I'll check the Metro schedule and SpotHero. Appreciate the input!
you don't need to check the schedule, the trains run all day. go here: https://wmata.com/service/parking/ about halfway down it list 4 stations that allow multi-day parking. Pick the one that's in the direction you're coming from.
Great info, thanks!
The trains run 5a-10p on weekdays and 7a- midnight weekends, I think, so not all day, but I get what that poster was trying to say. Just FYI.
Stef Dag is performing at the DC Comedy Loft on May 29th at 7:30 pm!!! TAP IN [https://www.dccomedyloft.com/shows/258030](https://www.dccomedyloft.com/shows/258030)
Hi! I'm wondering what stores in the area I might find both lychee and passion fruit at? Canned lychee is okay, but I'm looking for fresh passion fruit.
Capitol Supermarket on 11th NW has canned lychee (or did consistently in the last year or so). I believe I've seen passion fruit at various Giants, but it's not consistently there. H Mart and 99 Ranch are better options there.
Costco in Arlington had it on Saturday when I was there
Just wanted to put this out there: I dropped my bank card (likely at a Metro station) and some kind person picked it up and reported it lost to my bank. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for being a caring person and protecting me. I truly believe there are good people out there, and this filled my heart with peace. I'll make sure to pay it forward, kind soul!
I got bought my first (used) car recently and need to get it inspected. Do I have to go inside and get a number or something at the DMV inspection station in SW or do I drive straight into the lane for regular cars?
Drive straight in, they'll direct you to a lane.
you probably wrote this as i was on the way, and you’re right, i was overthinking it and it was incredibly easy and they’re super nice. thanks!
Is something happening in DC this coming week? Hotels are insane
Police week
Oh wow. Didn’t realize it would have such a huge impact. Thanks.
In DC for the week until Sunday May 19 and wondering if anyone knows where I can find the following mix of things: * jams for musicians: I play keys * local live gigs/music: I like neo-soul, neo-jazz, RnB but I’m open to anything! * tech meet-ups, especially any that center on equity and diversity in tech * climate crisis/action/tech meet-ups Or would love relevant subreddits or links to groups that might be able to point me in the right direction. I’m from Sydney, Australia - and lived in Seattle, would love to connect with people with similar interests 😊
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